Fast Italian Chicken Bake

For a fast meal that looks like you fussed, this is super easy and very tasty, too. Since it bakes in the oven, you have time to prepare some hot buttered noodles, a big green salad, and a basket of warm garlic bread.

Fast Italian Chicken Bake
4-6 boneless chicken breast halves, skinned
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Vegetable oil spray a shallow baking dish.

Combine the cheese, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the melted butter. Dip both sides of the chicken in the mixture and arrange in the prepared baking dish. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until chicken is tender and lightly browned. If chicken seems a bit dry, brush with some more melted butter towards the end of the cooking time.

The Boston Marathon - April 15, 2013

Hurt, death, and disaster are a tragedy in any event but when the mayhem visited on innocent people is deliberate, you can only shake you head in disbelief and wonder at man's inhumanity to man. Such was the horrible finish of the Boston Marathon yesterday afternoon. A bright, beautiful day bringing crowds of people out to enjoy the annual marathon was shattered by the cowardly bombing of innocent people. Three people, one a young child, started off the day in happy anticipation and will never return home. More than a hundred people will bear both physical and mental scars after surviving the attack. While most of us cannot be there in person to help, we can pray. I found this prayer for healing on the Catholic Relief Services site and it seem to address many of the needs in our world, today,  including the hateful attack in Boston yesterday.

Awaken Us

Lord of hopefulness, awaken us.
Show us the meaning in our labor,
That we may ever rejoice in the promise of the
seeds we sow.

Lord of righteousness, awaken us.
Show us the good path,
That we may walk in confidence in your wisdom
and understanding.

Lord of hospitality, awaken us.
Show us that our refuge is found in you,
That we may always provide shelter in times of
storm.

Lord of freedom, awaken us.
Show us the courage that called our forefathers
out of bondage,
That we may always stand with the bound and the oppressed and be their champions.

Lord of all peace, awaken us.
Show us the heart that stills even raging waters,
That we may still angry hearts and reconcile warring neighbors.

Lord of charity, awaken us.
Teach us of the unending return on our sacrifice,
That we may rejoice more fully in giving.

Lord, you have eyes for the just and ears for the cry of those who suffer.
Awaken in us a heart of justice,
That you may count us among their number.
Amen